Monthly Archives: March 2024

GENESIS 42 JOSEPH PUTS BROTHERS TO THE TEST

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March 22

GENESIS 42

12 He said to them, “No, it is the nakedness of the land that you have come to see.” 13 And they said, “We, your servants, are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan, and behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is no more.” 14 But Joseph said to them, “It is as I said to you. You are spies. 15 By this you shall be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here. 16 Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. Or else, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.” 17 And he put them all together in custody for three days.

                                                                   – Genesis 42:12-17

GENESIS 42 JOSEPH PUTS BROTHERS TO THE TEST

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

Joseph questioned their true identities in their coming to Egypt

Because they didn’t recognize him, he wanted it to stay that way

To know that his father and youngest brother were still alive,

He accused them of being spies and prove to him that they weren’t

If they bring the youngest brother to Egypt, they passed the test

It was the only way Joseph could see his only brother by his mother.

We witness again the wisdom of Joseph in this account. Of course, Joseph knew they were his brothers, but by accusing them they were spies, he will be able to ask them to prove that they truly had a younger brother. Since they didn’t recognize him, they were all so fearful that they wouldn’t have grain to bring back to their father and Benjamin and would eventually die because of the famine. 

Joseph’s plan to find out about his father and Benjamin was brilliant. He could continue to make them believe what they know about him: the authority to grant them to buy grain in Egypt. This way he can confirm that his father and Benjamin are all well. It also gives him a chance to confine the rest of his brothers, not to punish them for what they had done to him, but to share with them his comfort and riches in Egypt.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think Joseph had that ability to still treat his brothers well despite what they did to him?

GENESIS 42 JOSEPH’S BROTHERS BOW DOWN TO HIM

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March 21

GENESIS 42

When Jacob learned that there was grain for sale in Egypt, he said to his sons, “Why do you look at one another?” 2 And he said, “Behold, I have heard that there is grain for sale in Egypt. Go down and buy grain for us there, that we may live and not die.” 3 So ten of Joseph’s brothers went down to buy grain in Egypt. 4 But Jacob did not send Benjamin, Joseph’s brother, with his brothers, for he feared that harm might happen to him. 5 Thus the sons of Israel came to buy among the others who came, for the famine was in the land of Canaan.6 Now Joseph was governor over the land. He was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph’s brothers came and bowed themselves before him with their faces to the ground. 7 Joseph saw his brothers and recognized them, but he treated them like strangers and spoke roughly to them. “Where do you come from?” he said. They said, “From the land of Canaan, to buy food.” 8 And Joseph recognized his brothers, but they did not recognize him. 9 And Joseph remembered the dreams that he had dreamed of them. And he said to them, “You are spies; you have come to see the nakedness of the land.” 10 They said to him, “No, my lord, your servants have come to buy food. 11 We are all sons of one man. We are honest men. Your servants have never been spies.” – Genesis 42:1-11

GENESIS 42 JOSEPH’S BROTHERS BOW DOWN TO HIM

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

As soon as Jacob heard there was grain in Egypt, he sent his sons

Only ten of them were sent since and had his youngest son stay with him

He feared that he will lose Benjamin as he already lost Joseph

Without recognizing Joseph, the brothers bowed down to Egypt’s ruler.

Joseph’s dream came true again. The dream that they would bow down to him. The dream that they mocked Joseph with and hated him more was truly happening. But they didn’t recognize him, but Joseph did. Joseph had such humility and amazing memory to even recall those brothers who sold him into slavery and also plotted to murder him. So, Joseph treated them as if he didn’t know them and accused them of being spies. This accusation must have caused much fear for them since it will jeopardize their desire to buy grain and without food, they can also starve to death.

REFLECTION

  • How come Joseph recognized his brothers and they didn’t?

GENESIS 41 JOSEPH STEWARDS THE YEAR OF FAMINE FOR EGYPT

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March 20

GENESIS 41

53 The seven years of plenty that occurred in the land of Egypt came to an end, 54 and the seven years of famine began to come, as Joseph had said. There was famine in all lands, but in all the land of Egypt there was bread. 55 When all the land of Egypt was famished, the people cried to Pharaoh for bread. Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, “Go to Joseph. What he says to you, do.” 56 So when the famine had spread over all the land, Joseph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Egyptians, for the famine was severe in the land of Egypt. 57 Moreover, all the earth came to Egypt to Joseph to buy grain, because the famine was severe over all the earth. – Genesis 41:53-57

GENESIS 41 JOSEPH STEWARDS THE YEAR OF FAMINE FOR EGYPT

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

After seven years of plenty and overflowing crops in Egypt

The time of famine was followed after those seven years

As God led Joseph to foresee what was coming in Pharaoh’s dream

The Lord also provided him with wisdom how to steward the famine

Assigning Joseph to head the land of Egypt to prepare for things to come

Was the best decision Pharaoh had done to save the land and his dominion.

According to phrases.org.uk The source of the proverb ‘The devil is in the details’ is often attributed to the German/American architect Ludwig Mies Van Der Rohe. This is almost certainly a misattribution. The expression derives from an earlier German proverb – “Der liebe Gott steckt im detail”, which translates as ‘God is in the detail’.  The details of a plan, while seeming insignificant, may contain hidden problems that threaten its overall feasibility is the meaning of this proverb. It is not literal in terms of the devil is at work, but the proverb actually refers more to God’s exquisite detail when he plans.

In Pharaoh’s dream, God was in the details, especially in the interpretation he gave to Joseph. He gave Joseph the discernment and wisdom on how to execute and steward the crops during the bountiful years in preparation for the coming seven years of famine. In this account, we witness that godly wisdom given to Joseph to anticipate the scarcity.

REFLECTION

·       Give examples of how God is in the details that you know is written in the bible.

GENESIS 41 JOSEPH’S RULE DURING 7 YEARS OF PLENTY

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March 19

GENESIS 41

46 Joseph was thirty years old when he entered the service of Pharaoh king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt. 47 During the seven plentiful years the earth produced abundantly, 48 and he gathered up all the food of these seven years, which occurred in the land of Egypt, and put the food in the cities. He put in every city the food from the fields around it. 49 And Joseph stored up grain in great abundance, like the sand of the sea, until he ceased to measure it, for it could not be measured.50 Before the year of famine came, two sons were born to Joseph. Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On, bore them to him. 51 Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh. “For,” he said, “God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house.” 52 The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.”–

                                                                   – Genesis 41:46-52

GENESIS 41 JOSEPH’S RULE DURING 7 YEARS OF PLENTY

A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses

When Joseph turned thirty, he was appointed ruler of Egypt

He was given authority to manage all the crops for the years of plenty

This was in preparation for the coming years of famine

Joseph manifested God’s wisdom to steward all the produce in the land

He stored up grain in great abundance before the famine came

It was also at this time that God blessed and granted him two sons

He called the firstborn Manasseh for God made him forget the difficulties

The second son was named Ephraim for God made him fruitful despite trials.

As Joseph became ruler of Egypt just a position below the king, he manifested such wisdom and good management skills. The Lord was always with him and guided him in every little or big decision he made. He was also blessed with such bounty in terms of crop harvest that all the produce was overflowing. This was God’s way of preparing the whole Egypt for the coming famine. What wonderful way of turning events around for Joseph! After all his suffering, he now had authority over the whole land and was also blessed with two children.

REFLECTION

  • How do we know that Joseph’s wisdom came from God alone?

GENESIS 41 JOSEPH RISES INTO POWER

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March 18

GENESIS 41

37 This proposal pleased Pharaoh and all his servants. 38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is the Spirit of God?” 39 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has shown you all this, there is none so discerning and wise as you are. 40 You shall be over my house, and all my people shall order themselves as you command. Only as regards the throne will I be greater than you.” 41 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” 42 Then Pharaoh took his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain about his neck. 43 And he made him ride in his second chariot. And they called out before him, “Bow the knee!” Thus he set him over all the land of Egypt. 44 Moreover, Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I am Pharaoh, and without your consent no one shall lift up hand or foot in all the land of Egypt.” 45 And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphenath-paneah. And he gave him in marriage Asenath, the daughter of Potiphera priest of On. So Joseph went out over the land of Egypt.  – Genesis 41:37-45

GENESIS 41 JOSEPH RISES INTO POWER

A poem by Ilma based on these verses

After Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream and laid down his recommendation

The king asked himself and his council, can we find a man to do this for us?

Pharaoh was impressed by Joseph’s wisdom and discernment

So, he assigned Joseph to have authority over his house and the land

He gave his signet ring to Joseph which symbolizes the power given to him

This made Joseph rise into power and became ruler over all of Egypt.

What a climax to Joseph’s traumatic story! From being sold into slavery, being slandered and put in prison and now a ruler in the land of Egypt. This only shows us God’s power working in his life. What is amazing about Joseph is that he remained the same in all those situations we witnessed. He was humble and never fought back or rebelled. He surrendered and obeyed the destiny that God prepared for him, without question or rebellion or whining. When we live to serve and obey the Lord, we will definitely have his blessings in all we do, whether there is lack or there is plenty.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think Joseph stayed the same in all the situations he was in?

GENESIS 41 JOSEPH INTERPRETS PHARAOH’S DREAM

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March 17

GENESIS 41

25 Then Joseph said to Pharaoh, “The dreams of Pharaoh are one; God has revealed to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 26 The seven good cows are seven years, and the seven good ears are seven years; the dreams are one. 27 The seven lean and ugly cows that came up after them are seven years, and the seven empty ears blighted by the east wind are also seven years of famine. 28 It is as I told Pharaoh; God has shown to Pharaoh what he is about to do. 29 There will come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt, 30 but after them there will arise seven years of famine, and all the plenty will be forgotten in the land of Egypt. The famine will consume the land, 31 and the plenty will be unknown in the land by reason of the famine that will follow, for it will be very severe. 32 And the doubling of Pharaoh’s dream means that the thing is fixed by God, and God will shortly bring it about. 33 Now therefore let Pharaoh select a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Egypt. 34 Let Pharaoh proceed to appoint overseers over the land and take one-fifth of the produce of the land of Egypt during the seven plentiful years. 35 And let them gather all the food of these good years that are coming and store up grain under the authority of Pharaoh for food in the cities, and let them keep it. 36 That food shall be a reserve for the land against the seven years of famine that are to occur in the land of Egypt, so that the land may not perish through the famine.”

                                                                   – Genesis 41:25-36

GENESIS 41 JOSEPH INTERPRETS PHARAOH’S DREAM

Pharaoh’s dream finally becomes interpreted by God through Joseph. No human being can actually accurately tell a dream interpretation. Only God can do that. The wisdom that God gave Joseph during this occasion was a prelude to the big change that will occur in his life. It is as if his whole young life was full of adversities and traumas in preparation for the big position that he will hold after this dream interpretation. God prepared Joseph to be strong and resilient and wise. He was prepared for all the coming famine that he was to handle as he became a ruler in Egypt. God’s hand and timing was so perfect that Joseph’s life will finally take an advantageous turn.

Joseph’s whole life was a foreshadowing of God’s big plan for man’s salvation in Jesus Christ. The Lord gave us a glimpse of his power and his control over man’s destiny.

REFLECTION

  • How was Joseph’s wisdom a reflection of God’s wisdom in his interpretation?

GENESIS 41 PHARAOH RELEASES JOSEPH TO INTERPRET DREAM

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March 16

GENESIS 41

14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Joseph, and they quickly brought him out of the pit. And when he had shaved himself and changed his clothes, he came in before Pharaoh. 15 And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it. I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.” 16 Joseph answered Pharaoh, “It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer.” 17 Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Behold, in my dream I was standing on the banks of the Nile. 18 Seven cows, plump and attractive, came up out of the Nile and fed in the reed grass. 19 Seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and thin, such as I had never seen in all the land of Egypt. 20 And the thin, ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows, 21 but when they had eaten them no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were still as ugly as at the beginning. Then I awoke. 22 I also saw in my dream seven ears growing on one stalk, full and good. 23 Seven ears, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprouted after them, 24 and the thin ears swallowed up the seven good ears. And I told it to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

                                                                       – Genesis 41:14-24

GENESIS 41 PHARAOH RELEASES JOSEPH TO INTERPRET DREAM

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

Out of a desire for his dream to be interpreted

Pharaoh sent and called for Joseph from prison

Then after Joseph got cleaned out, he came in before him

Pharaoh asked him to interpret his baffling dream

Joseph reminded him that it is God who does the interpretation

So, the dream of the seven cows and seven ears were narrated.

In this account, we are going to see Joseph’s life changed when Pharaoh called for him out of prison to interpret his dream. The timing of this couldn’t be any better. It took two long years before the chief cupbearer remembered Joseph’s interpretation of his and the baker’s dreams that both came true.

The next events after these following verses will be a turn of events for Joseph’s life. We have continually seen Joseph give God the glory to his dream interpretation and his patience after those years he was in prison.

REFLECTION

  • How can we emulate Joseph’s constant acknowledgment of God in the midst of suffering and trials?

GENESIS 41 CUPBEARER REMEMBERS JOSEPH

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March 15

GENESIS 41

9 Then the chief cupbearer said to Pharaoh, “I remember my offenses today. 10 When Pharaoh was angry with his servants and put me and the chief baker in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, 11 we dreamed on the same night, he and I, each having a dream with its own interpretation. 12 A young Hebrew was there with us, a servant of the captain of the guard. When we told him, he interpreted our dreams to us, giving an interpretation to each man according to his dream. 13 And as he interpreted to us, so it came about. I was restored to my office, and the baker was hanged.” 

                                                                      – Genesis 41:9-13

GENESIS 41 CUPBEARER REMEMBERS JOSEPH

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA           

Two years later after Joseph interpreted the cupbearer’s dream

He suddenly remembered how accurately Joseph interpreted it

So, he told Pharaoh his experience with Joseph in prison

Joseph’s interpretation actually came true and he was restored in office

He also narrated of the baker’s dream interpreted by Joseph

Which both happened the same night and both their dreams came true.

It took two long years before the cupbearer remembered how Joseph’s dream interpretation of his dream came true. The Pharaoh’s frustration with his dream not being interpreted by anyone he called do so led for the cupbearer to remember Joseph who accurately interpreted his and the baker’s dream, two years before that.

We often wonder why we go through trials and adversities long but we don’t understand God’s perfect timing. Perhaps it was in his design to let two years pass by before Joseph was remembered for this gift of interpreting dreams. God always knows best when it comes to knowing when to give, take away or allow anyone to suffer. Because God is all seeing and all knowing, he has perfect timing. We, on the other hand, become so self-centered and not see the big picture. It may have appeared that Joseph’s waiting was long, but I am sure that God had been working those two years in light of a greater good for Joseph.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think God prolongs our agony at times?

GENESIS 41 THE PHARAOH’S DREAM

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March 14

GENESIS 41

After two whole years, Pharaoh dreamed that he was standing by the Nile, 2 and behold, there came up out of the Nile seven cows, attractive and plump, and they fed in the reed grass. 3 And behold, seven other cows, ugly and thin, came up out of the Nile after them, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the Nile. 4 And the ugly, thin cows ate up the seven attractive, plump cows. And Pharaoh awoke. 5 And he fell asleep and dreamed a second time. And behold, seven ears of grain, plump and good, were growing on one stalk. 6 And behold, after them sprouted seven ears, thin and blighted by the east wind. 7 And the thin ears swallowed up the seven plump, full ears. And Pharaoh awoke, and behold, it was a dream. 8 So in the morning his spirit was troubled, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt and all its wise men. Pharaoh told them his dreams, but there was none who could interpret them to Pharaoh. – Genesis 41:1-8

GENESIS 41 THE PHARAOH’S DREAM

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

Two years later, the king dreamed he was by the Nile

Out of the Nile, seven cows came up beautiful and plump

These cows fed in the reed grass and then seven other cows came

These next seven cows were ugly and thin and came up out of the Nile

They stood beside each other in the bank of the Nile, but a bizarre thing happened

The ugly seven thin cows ate up the seven attractive plump cows and the king awoke.

The king’s dream bothered him so much that he was obsessed to find out what it meant. So, he sent for all the magicians and wise men of Egypt to interpret these two dreams that troubled him.

All those two years, the cupbearer had forgotten that Joseph could interpret the dream. It was probably God’s timing that all these events happened that way for it will lead to Joseph’s rise from that prison cell. We never know what God’s timing is.

REFLECTION

  • Why do you think God allowed another two years for this dream to happen?
  • Why did God not rescue Joseph right away and let him suffer longer?

GENESIS 40 THE BAKER’S DREAM INTERPRETED

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March 13

GENESIS 40

16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was favorable, he said to Joseph, “I also had a dream: there were three cake baskets on my head, 17 and in the uppermost basket there were all sorts of baked food for Pharaoh, but the birds were eating it out of the basket on my head.” 18 And Joseph answered and said, “This is its interpretation: the three baskets are three days. 19 In three days Pharaoh will lift up your head—from you! —and hang you on a tree. And the birds will eat the flesh from you.” 20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants and lifted up the head of the chief cupbearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cupbearer to his position, and he placed the cup in Pharaoh’s hand. 22 But he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cupbearer did not remember Joseph, but forgot him.   – Genesis 40:16-23

GENESIS 40 THE BAKER’S DREAM INTERPRETED

A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA

After hearing the favorable dream of the cupbearer

The baker excitedly narrated to Joseph his dream

He dreamed that three cake baskets were on his head

In the topmost basket were all kinds of baked goodies for the king

But then, the birds were eating it out of the basked on the baker’s head

Joseph interpreted the dream as the three baskets are three days

And in three days, the king will lift up his head and hang him on a tree

On the king’s birthday which was the third day, the cupbearer will be restored.

The interpretation of the baker’s dream was not as pleasant as the cupbearer’s dream. He expected it to be favorable after hearing the cupbearer’s dream interpretation by Joseph. Sadly, they both happen in three days with extremely opposite endings. It must have terrorized the baker.

Both interpretations truly happened. Joseph requested the cupbearer not to forget him when he is reinstated so he can also be pulled out of prison, but he forgot all about it. So, Joseph still remained in prison after the dreams came into reality.

REFLECTION

  • Why is it easy to forget our promises when things are going well?